Maritime Law is the area of our legal system that covers incidents that occur on the water. Among other things, it encompasses individuals who are injured on a boat whether a member of the crew or a passenger. It also covers longshoremen, offshore oil field workers, and just about any other individual injured on a boat, rig or dock. Maritime Law includes:

• Jones Act - The Jones Act allows seamen who have been injured by the negligence of their employers or co-workers to bring a claim against their employers for loss wages, medical bills, pain and suffering.
• Unseaworthiness Claims - Unseaworthiness claims apply to injuries that are caused by a vessel or any of its parts or machinery that are not reasonably fit for their intended use. A vessel can also be unseaworthy if the vessel's crew are not reasonably competent or skilled to perform the assigned work. Under the Jones Act, a vessel owner has a duty to provide and maintain a seaworthy vessel.
• Death on the High Seas (DOHSA) - DOHSA is a Federal law that allows a surviving spouse of seamen to recover damages for their spouse's future earnings.
• Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) - The LHWCA fills the gap between the Jones Act and state worker's compensation laws. This law provides protection to non-seamen who are injured on navigable water.

If you or your loved one has been injured on or near the water, contact the Law Offices of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault to ensure that your rights are protected.